On Christmas morning of Thursday, December 25th, 2014, former Canton resident Joan Winifred (Parrish) Cole passed away at home, with her loving family at hand, following a courageous fourteen year battle with cancer. Joan was diagnosed with terminal brain and lung cancer in 2001. After given an initial prognosis of 3-6 months to live, she survived and thrived and gave back to her community in many ways.
Although primarily a domestic engineer, she served as activities director for various long term care facilities, including the former Country Manor and the former Blaney Personal Care Home in Canton, and the Smith Personal care Home in Wyalusing. Her greatest joy was in becoming an EMT with Western Alliance Emergency Services, a position to which she was dedicated for as long as her health permitted.
She was a member of the Women Of The Moose, the Innes Hose Company and the Canton Area Chamber of Commerce. She felt these items would help them as they went through the hours of chemo therapy like she did. She would be happy to know that her vast hat collection will be generously donated to the Cancer Resource Center.
With never a bad word about anyone, Joan strode through life with a positive attitude about everything. She was 69 years of age. Born February 8th, 1945 in Saginaw, Michigan, she was the daughter of Arthur J. and Elizabeth (Gilmour) Parrish.
She was married to the late Gary Duane Cole for 32 years prior to his passing in 1997. Jesus called this angel home on his birthday in the most loving, peaceful way.
Joni had no fear of her passing as she knew she was going to Heaven. However, she did tell her family that she was not wishing ill will on the actor Brian Dennehy, but she looked forward to greeting him when it was his turn to go.
Surviving are her children Andrea and Carl Sutton, Canton and William Celmer, Wilkes-Barre; grandchildren, Carl and Wendy Sutton, Dallas, Stacey and Dean Kenefick, Drexel Hill, PA, William and Andrew Celmer; great grandchildren, Floyd and Lydia Sutton, Dallas, Hailey and Hannah Kenefick, Drexel Hill, Alison, Ashley, and Natalie Celmer; sisters-in-law, Connie and Jean Sims and Margaret Pollock; many special and caring nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Andrew in 2000; brothers, Arthur, Thomas, Charles, William, Paul and John Sims; sisters, Margaret Paul, Mable Balleck, Louise Hunlock, Miriam Boyd, and Mae Jones; many nieces and nephews.
A celebration of her life was held on January 3 at the Franklin Street Primitive Methodist Church, Plymouth, PA with funeral services immediately following with her friend Rev. David Wildoner officiating.
Burial was in Oaklawn Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the Franklin Street Primitive Methodist Church, 181 Franklin Street, Plymouth, PA or St. John's United Methodist Church, PO Box 313, Canton, PA 17724 or a charity of one's choice.
Arrangements are under the care and trust of the Morse and Kleese Funeral Home, Canton, PA.
